The first time I read Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s quote about achieving a state of inner spiritual grace, I thought “Yes. I want that too.” I just didn’t know the journey I would need to take to “function and give as I was meant to in the eye of God” was going to be so arduous. Inner spiritual grace sounded so …
In Others’ Words: A Bit of Advice
Ah, advice. We love giving others advice — often with a “take it or leave it” qualifier. But when it comes to hearing and accepting advice from someone else? That’s not always so easy, is it? Maybe I’m the only one with the virtual deflector shields of “I know what I’m doing” and “I can figure this out on my …
In Others’ Words: Celebrating More
Got anything to celebrate today? Is it something you’d like to celebrate again … and again … and again? I’m celebrating sending off a novella manuscript — and hoping to celebrate that more in the future. I’m celebrating how my daughters and sons-in-love and daughter-in-love create a heart-expanding vision of family. And I’m anticipating the celebrations that will happen once …
In Others’ Words: Only You
There are some things only I can do. Being me, for example. Nobody else can be me. Brilliant deduction, I know. I spent some time — too much time, to be honest — doubting myself. (Yes, yes, I’ve admitted this before, so I won’t belabor it again.) Lesson learned: Spend too much time doubting yourself and you spend too little …
In Others’ Words: The Difficult Road
I don’t know about you, but I’ve looked for various forms of success for a lot of my life. One of the earliest forms of success started way back in grade school spelling bees … and I’m still wrangling with words in pursuit of success. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always hoped that success would be found, well, …
In Others’ Words: To the Future
Some days are weights … and others are stepping stones … and still others disappear before I even grasp “What happened?” I’m aiming for something … so many things … and I don’t want to miss what’s right here, now, because I just may find this moment was the most important thing of all. Sometimes I dream when I’m asleep …
In Others’ Words: Moving Forward
Yesterday, I wrote a scene where an imaginary character grapples with forgiving someone — someone who hurt him years ago. And as I wrote the scene, I realized that some of the words coming out of the character’s mouth were my own. I wasn’t too surprised. I’ve grappled with forgiveness — the whole “How do I forgive this person, God?” …
Valentine’s Day Giveaway: Win a Kindle Fire HDX & 12 Novels
I’m so excited to announce a very special Valentine’s Day giveaway. I’ve joined with eleven best-selling, award-winning author friends to bring our readers this amazing giveaway. In addition to a brand new Kindle Fire HDX, the winner will receive the latest novels from these awesome authors — that’s a dozen books! A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander Butterfly Palace by …
In Others’ Word: Weariness
When you’re weary, do you ever stop to discern why? Are you weary because you are not doing the things you want — or need — to do? Or are you weary because you are doing the things you do not want — or need — to do? It’s a question worth asking … and a question worth answering. …
In Others’ Words: Choosing to Trust Others
There comes a time when you have to decide: is this thing between you and another person a relationship or not? I’m not just talking about romantic “do I or don’t I love this person?” kind of relationships. This question comes up as friendships are formed too. And yes, the beginning of relationships make me nervous. Do I or don’t I? …